Nagpur, Maharashtra: A 28-year-old man entered the State Bank of India branch in Sakkardara on Friday evening, threw chilli powder at bank staff, and escaped with ₹4.53 lakh, police said on Saturday. The accused was identified as Suraj Borker, and was arrested within a few hours after investigators reviewed CCTV footage from the branch and surrounding areas.
Sequence of the incident and CCTV evidence
According to Nagpur city police, CCTV clips from the SBI branch show Borker entering with a white cloth covering his face and carrying a green pack. He is seen scattering the chilli powder towards bank employees, then closing in on them while continuing to attack, creating confusion and forcing staff to retreat.
- After causing the commotion, the accused jumped over the service counter, grabbed a handful of cash and left the branch.
- Some employees attempted to chase him but were unable to prevent his escape, the footage shows.
- Police immediately reviewed CCTV from the bank and nearby cameras and traced the suspect.
Police said, "He was in debt after losing ₹5 lakh in the stock market," and that investigators were probing whether anyone else had been involved in planning the crime.
Arrest and interrogation
City police reported that Borker was traced and taken into custody within a few hours of the robbery. During interrogation, he reportedly admitted to attempting the robbery because he had incurred losses in the stock market amounting to ₹5 lakh. Authorities said they were continuing the probe to determine whether the accused acted alone or with accomplices.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | SBI branch, Sakkardara, Nagpur |
| Accused | Suraj Borker, 28 years old |
| Amount stolen | ₹4.53 lakh |
| Motivation (reported) | Debt after losing ₹5 lakh in stock market |
Local context and implications
The incident has underlined security concerns for bank branches in busy Nagpur neighbourhoods such as Sakkardara, which sees sizeable footfall in the evenings. Bank officials and customers regularly rely on closed‑circuit cameras and security guards; yet the quick escalation in this case, using irritant powder to disorient staff, exposed vulnerabilities in day‑to‑day operations.
Police said the rapid identification and arrest followed routine checks of CCTV networks around the branch. Investigating officers are now focusing on two strands: confirming the exact sequence of movements before and after the robbery by analysing footage from neighbouring establishments, and establishing whether anyone else assisted in planning or logistics.
Bank branches across the city often coordinate with local police for periodic security reviews and mock drills. Following this episode, officers said they would consult with the bank to review security protocols and consider measures to minimise harm from similar improvised attacks, including first‑aid steps for staff exposed to irritants, better counter layouts and faster internal alarm systems.
No injuries requiring hospitalisation were reported. The Nagpur police have registered a case and are continuing investigations under relevant sections. Officials did not specify the charges filed against the accused in the initial statement released on Saturday.
The inquiry will also examine whether the accused had tried other banks or whether the Sakkardara branch was specifically targeted. Residents and customers around the area said there was a heightened sense of unease on Saturday morning, and some called for improved security measures at local branches.
Investigators urged citizens with any information, or businesses with CCTV footage from Friday evening near the Sakkardara SBI branch, to come forward and assist the probe.
